Written by Shea Roney | Photo by Sofia Peeters

Every Wednesday, the ugly hug shares a playlist personally curated by an artist/band that we have been enjoying. This week we have a collection of songs put together by the Kingston-based band, $500.

Composed of guitarist Ian Donohue, bassist, vocalist Kaitlyn Flanagan and drummer Lilly Griffin, the trio released their debut record, Twelve Eyes, back in the Fall of 2025. Take any song off that record, you’ll find that these tracks tussle with both color and grit as $500 play off of what’s given to them. At times it can be unforgiving, reeling through the complexities of self, love, apathy and perception. But Twelve Eyes plays out like a daring vestige, as gritty instrumentations hum and pound with the prowess of a neighbor’s old lemon car hitting a pothole. When played out, these songs become a presence to hold on tight to, formative at the heart of some back-pocket-rock, but sobering in the likes of the band’s veering convictions, ecstatic deliveries, and big heart.

About the playlist, the band shared;

“hello music enjoyers – here is a playlist of tunes we queued up a few weeks back for our drive out to record what’s gonna become our next release.

no theme really, just some stuff that has been rocking us recently. this music best appreciated with 500 cups of coffee coursing through your system. do not forget to eat your banana.”

Listen to $500’s playlist HERE!

Listen to Twelve Eyes out now and snag a CD here.